The effect of thoracoscopic sympathectomy on quality of life and symptom management of hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND: Success with thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) for hyperhidrosis is 93% to 100%. We wished to determine if hyperhidrosis patients who do not undergo TS have decreased quality of life (QOL). STUDY DESIGN: Data collection was retrospective, with telephone calls to hyperhidrosis patients who qualified for sympathectomy. Data collection included assessing sweating severity; overall QOL; social, professional, and cosmetic satisfaction; and comfort with daily activities. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2005, 60 patients met the criteria for sympathectomy. Twenty-two patients who qualified but did not undergo operations (no TS) and 26 TS patients were contacted. Change in symptoms on a 10-point scale for hands was: no TS, -0.30 and TS, -6.25, p < 0.0001, and QOL, on a 1-to-5 scale, increased (no TS, 0.27 and TS, 1.65, p=0.0003). Satisfaction was very good/excellent socially for 9 of 22 no TS patients and 23 of 26 TS patients (p=0.002); professionally for 12 of 22 no TS patients and 23 of 26 TS patients (p=0.021); and cosmetically for 10 of 22 no TS patients and 23 of 26 TS patients (p=0.004). Patients were very satisfied with shaking hands (9 of 22 no TS patients and 24 of 26 TS patients, p=0.0003); writing (9 of 11 no TS patients and 25 of 26 TS patients, p=0.0001); eating (11 of 22 no TS patients and 25 of 25 TS patients, p=0.0008). TS patients had more sweating on the abdomen (no TS patients, 0.0 and TS patients, 1.75, p=0.0001), on the groin (no TS patients, 0.00 and TS patients, 2.9, p=0.0009), and on the back (no TS patients, 0.48 and TS patients, 4.96, p=0.0001). QOL was very good/excellent at followup for 13 of 22 no TS patients and 23 of 26 TS patients (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: TS controls palmar hyperhidrosis, and, despite compensatory sweating, patients having the procedure are very satisfied. Patients who did not have surgery have decreased satisfaction, comfort, and QOL, and increased symptoms.